Filling apparatus for dispensing measured amounts of liquids



May 4, 1965 E. PELLERINO ET AL 3,131,576

FILLING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING MEASURED AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1962 mvEN'rRs,

w J. I. 8 3 2 ERNEST PELLERINQ ARTHU MARTORELLI,

TTORNEY- y 1965 E. PELLERINO ETAL 3,181,576

FILLING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING MEASURED AMOUNTS OF LIQUIDS Filed Nov. 9, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lam VP. ///V @NE W mm R m 0 l. E&R T V A T P A I R U R m @A 4 5 .r| M 1 m 1 mm Cl 3 S 3 II M O./|III.I.J 8 l w .2 4/ 4 m. m m w M HHK Aam .7 A 4 T D A. W. KG; 3 w 5 llllllfll'llll! 5 2 E F United States Patent 3,181,576 FILLING APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING MEASURED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUHDS Ernest Peilerino, 518 E. 6th St., New York, N.Y., and Arthur Martorelli, 1035 Crawford Ave, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Nov. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 236,549 4 Claims. (Cl. 141--293) The present invention relates to improvements in valvecontrolled apparatus used to fill bottles, cans and other containers in machine or manually operated constructions, and is adapted for use in installations where it is lowered to fill the container beneath it, or where the container is raised to receive the discharge nozzle. The arrangement is such preferably that the valve is worked by the relative movement of the filling nozzle and the container to receive liquid therefrom.

.eretofore, filing devices of this kind included overflow tubes from which residual liquid would flow into the container after the valve was closed, and being ever different in quantity from say bottle to bottle, uniform bottle contents could not be attained. Further, the mouth of the container had to be sealed against the entrance of air during the filling operation, in order to operate properly.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide a novel and improved filling structure of the class mentioned, of simplified construction, having a novel mode of operation, in that, the flow of liquid into the container being filled, automatically stops when it has reached a certain level therein, though the discharge port remains open; provision being made to then close such port and withdraw the filling nozzle from the container. The device needs no means to take care of overflow, for there occurs no overfiow and hence no residual liquid is added to container contents. Uniform filling is attained with certainty. Valve constructions will be shown which require no means to seal the mouth of the container against entrance of air during the filling operation because in the embodiments shown, atmospheric pressure on container contents is utilized in the operation of the present appa ratus. It is to be noted however, that the apparatus herein shown will operate equally well when provided with means to seal the mouth of the container against the entrance of air during the filling operation, because of the presence of atmospheric pressure in the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide novel and improved filling apparatus to dispense liquids in measured amounts, which is simple in construction, reasonable in cost to manufacture and efiicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume is to have a nozzle comprising a vertical discharge tube within a vent tube, arranged to offer a valve means closing the bottom end of the vent tube and the discharge tube. The discharge tube extends from the bottom of an otherwise closed supply chamber at whose top there is a normally closed openable entrance to replenish the supply chamber. The vent tube is communicatively associated with a tubular element which extends to nearly the ceiling of said supply chamber.

When the nozzle is inserted into a container to be filled, and the valve opened, liquid will pour from the supply chamber until the level thereof in said container reaches the lower end of the vent tube, whereupon the flow of liquid will automatically stop, though the openings in the discharge tube remain open. Now the valve is closed and the nozzle is raised out of the container, ready to be entered into the next container to be filled. There is no overflow and the amount of fill is always the same.

The discharge tube and the supply chamber are rigidly connected and constitute a rigid structure, so manipulation is by relative movement of the supply chamber and the container. Spring means bias the valve to closed condition and a lateral element on a valve component in contacting the container, effects valve operation.

A more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention and its mode of operation, will now be given, for which reference is had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which drawing, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views. Various modified forms will also be shown, in one of which, the discharge tube acts as the vent tube.

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal section of a filling device structure embodying the teachings of this invention, shown ready to be lowered so that its discharge end enter a container to be filled, and by such movement, its valve will be opened.

FIG. 2 is a similar view with a slight modification, showing the filling structure of FIG. 1 lowered into the container whereby its valve is opened and of course, the container is being filled.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary central longitudinal section of modified construction, where the discharge tube serves as thleJ vent tube, whereas in FIG. 1, there is a separate vent tu e.

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 1, but of another modified construction, shown ready to enter a container to be filled. This type is suitable for liquids which foam.

FIG. 5 shows the filling apparatus of FIG. 4, lowered into the container. The construction here shown, is slightly modified.

In the drawings, the numeral 15 designates generally a confined chamber for holding a supply of liquid. This chamber has a discharge tube 16 extending downwardly from its bottom wall, to lead liquid from said chamber into a container 19 to be filled. The bottom end of this tube is of enlarged diameter with discharge openings 17 through its wall. A plug indicated generally by the numeral 18, closes said tube end, but not said openings 17. This plug has an enlarged head 20 at its lower end to support a rubber O-ring 21 about the plugs neck 22, which neck is of somewhat smaller diameter than that of the enlarged lower portion 23 of the discharge tube 16. Hence, an annular channel is formed to hold such O-ring 21. Secured to and extending downwardly from the bottom wall of said chamber 15, but not communicative with such chamber, is a sleeve 24 of comparatively short length, positioned spaced from and concentrically about said discharge tube. This sleeve 24 is of sufficient wall thickness to have a duct 25 therein which makes the interior of said chamber 15 communicative with the space 26 between the discharge tube and such sleeve, because in this embodiment there is provided a vent tube 27 fitted in such duct to extend upwardly in said chamber 15, to near the ceiling thereof, and such vent tube is a communicative extension of a tube 28 which is concentrically spaced about the discharge tube 16. The upper end of this outer tube 28, is fitted air-tight, to slide within said sleeve 24. The lower enlarged portion 23 of the discharge tube, is fitted air-tight, to slide within said outer tube 23. Normally, the O-ring Z1 and the plug 18 close the bottom end of said outer tube 28, for the latter is biased by a stressed compression coil spring 29 to set against said O-ring 21. Said spring which is about the outer tube 28, rests at its upper end against the packing 30 in the sleeve 24, while said springs lower end rests against a collar 31 which is tight on the outer tube 28, but adjustable therealong by means of the set screw 32. Below this collar, the outer tube 28 carries tightly thereon, the laterally extending member 33 whose work equally well if such seal waselfected, which can be accomplished by having the underface of the member rise. will be closed by said tube 28. The actual level to which 33 carry a rubber element (not shown) to encompass the mouth of the container when the structure of FIG. 1

is lowered. e

In order to replenish the liquid supply in the chamber 15, its upper wall maybe provided with a removable closure 34 of any suitable construction. This arrangement for refilling the chamber is suitable when the apparatus is manually lowered and raised'to accomplish operation. However, when these filing devices are to be used in automatic machines, the supply in the chamber 15 may be replenished in each cycle, fromthemain tank supply. line 35, by operation of a normally closed valve indicated at 34. In such automatic filling machines, as is well known, cam means are provided to lower and raise a bar like 36 carrying a nozzle, and you can have cam I means to operate the valve 34' so that such valve is'open .while the discharge openings 1 7are closed as in FIG. .1.

Such cam controls being no part of this invention, and being that same can be readily understood and provided for by those versed in this machine art, no further explanation or illustration thereof need .be given herein.

After filling the chamber "15 to a height below the upper end of the vent tube 27, with liquid to be dispensed, and

placing an empty container 19 on a platform therefor provided, so that the mouth thereof is in position to receive the lower end of the apparatus of FIG. L'said apparatus is lowered to enter. such container. The member 33 will come to rest atop said container thereby, determining the height to which liquid will enter the container 19, which height is from the containeris bottom wall to the lower end of the vent tube 28, while the lower end of the discharge tube 16 will move downwardly out of said end of tube 28. This will cause the telescopic tubular structure composed of the sleeve 24 and the tube 28, to contract,

thereby stressing the coil spring 29, and of course, the

lowerend of the dischargetube will be further down in the container. It is evident that the valve device is open, that is, the openings 17 are in the clear and hence liquid will enter the container 19. Such filling operation will.

continue until the liquid in the container reaches the lower end of the vent tube 28, which will be sealed by the liquid in the container and thereupon discharge from the openings 17 will cease though-they remain open.

Now, the device is raised out of the container 19.

tainer. The discharge will stop at this event, though said openings remain'open. The apparatus is then raised, whereupon thevalve will close before thetube 28 will Some liquid willbe discharged until the holes 17 the container 19 will be filled, will be at .the lower end of said tube 28.

Other forms of valve means may be used with this apparatus and one example is shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5 where the construction is exactly like FIG. 1 (or it may be as in FIG. 3) as to the structure above and including the .stop member33. The lower end of the discharge tube here designated as 116, is provided with the valve mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 40. The outer tube here denoted by the numeral 128, extends below said stop member 33 as in FIG. 1. In this construction, the discharge into the container 119 takes place at the bottom of said container, through the discharge nozzle 41, which is so done to avoid'foamvas is especially suited for the dispensingof liquids as shampoo, floor wax, liquid soap and detergents.

Referring now to the valve mechanism 40, it comprises an upright tubej42into whose upper end is fitted and secured a bushing indicated generally by the numeral 43, and into whose lower end is fitted andsecured .a bushing denoted generally by the numeral 44. :The lower endof the discharge tube'116 is securely fitted through the upper bushing 43. a The nozzle 41 is an inverted shell slidably fitted through the lower bushing 44 which acts i During the first part of such movement, the member 33 will remain against the container dueto the'action of the spring to return to itsnormal extended condition. While the outertube .28 remains at rest, the valve .will close, that is, the openings 17 will become closed because the discharge tube 16 will 'enter'the tube 28. before said tube 28 moves upward and while said tube 28 is liquid sealed. During the remainder of the upward. movement of the apparatus until it. returns to its uppermost position as in FIG. 1, there is no furtherdischarge into the container. v v

The capacity of the chamber 15 being sutficient to hold much more liquid than the container being filled, the next container to be filled is now set in place and the cycle repeated. 7

It is to be noted that the discharge tube 16 may also serve as the vent, inwhichv case the construction is as shown in FIG. 3, there the apparatus is like that of FIG. 1, except that the duct 25 and the tube 27., are omitted. Here, when the apparatus is lowered into the container, the latter will be filled up to the level where all the openings 17 are. liquid-sealed by the liquid in said con- 'said nozzle.

as a' slide bearing therefor. All junctures of these parts andthe sliding fit of said nozzle, are water-tight. .Inside the tube 42-is a tensed compression coil spring -45,.bias- 'ing said nozzle downward so that normally, the openings 46 near the top end of said nozzle are closed for'they are maintained within the bearing 44-as in FIG.v 4. The discharge end of said nozzle is bevelled as at 41' so that when it rests on the bottom of the container, said end is not closed. The top face of the upper bushing 43 is reduced as shown at 43' to enter the lower end of the 'tube 128. A rubber O-ring 47 which is set in and extends from an annular channel in the bushing 43, serves as a seat for the lower. end of the tube 128. The O-rings 48 and 49 are provided as shown, to avoid leakage around and through the bearing 44. 7

When the apparatus of FIG. 4 is moved downward its full extent as shown in FIG. 5 the lower end of'the nozzle will rest on the floor of the container and such nozzle 41 will be entered into the chamber 50 whereupon its top openings 46 will be exposed therein and liquid will flow into thecontainer out'from the bottom end of The container will be filled to the level of the lower end of the tube 128though the openings 46 remain communicative with the chamber 50 which receives liquid from the discharge tube 116. Upon lifting the apparatus, the stressed spring 45 will restore the nozzle 41 to closed position. and the tube 128 will beclosed when it sets on the O-ring 47.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments herein shall be deemed merely illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all. patentable novelty herein set forth; reference being had to the following claims rather than to the specific description hereinto indicate the scope of this invention. a I

We claim: a

1. In a filling apparatus. of the character described, the combination of a structure having a confined chamber for holding a supply of liquid, a discharge tube having discharge, opening structure atits' lower end; the upper end of said discharge tube being communicatively connected withand extending downwardly from said chamber whereby liquidfrom; said chamber .is free to flow opening structure; said discharge tube being adapted to be entered into a container which is to receive liquid from said chamber, means affording relative movement of said discharge tube and container whereby said discharge tube is entered into such container to a predetermined depth therein and when desired, withdrawn, structure movably associated with said discharge tube, closing said discharge opening structure and movable with respect to said discharge tube to open and close said discharge opening structure, an open-ended vent tube structure entered into said chamber and joined air-tight to the structure having the chamber so no air from around said vent tube structure enters said chamber; the upper end of said vent tube structure being above the level to which liquid is housed in said chamber; the lower end of said vent tube structure being above the discharge opening structure when the discharge tube is entered into the container and said discharge opening structure is opened and an element carried on the discharge tube serving as a seat to close the lower end of said vent tube structure when said discharge opening structure is closed, whereupon when the discharge tube is entered in the container and the discharge opening structure is opened, liquid will flow from said chamber into the container and stop at the level of the lower end of said vent tube structure.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower part of the vent tube structure is an outer tube along and about the discharge tube.

3. In a filling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a structure having a confined chamber for holding a supply of liquid, a discharge tube having discharge opening structure at its lower end; the upper end of said discharge tube being communicatively connected with and extending downwardly from said chamber whereby liquid from said chamber is free to flow through said discharge tube and out of said discharge opening structure; said discharge tube being adapted to be entered into a container which is to receive liquid from said chamber, means affording relative movement of said discharge tube and container whereby said discharge tube is entered into such container to a predetermined depth therein and when desired, withdrawn, structure movably associated with said discharge tube, closing said discharge opening structure and movable with respect to said discharge tube to open and close said discharge opening structure, said discharge tube and the structure which is movably associated therewith to open and close the discharge opening structure, together forming a valve means, whereupon when the discharge tube is entered in the container and the discharge opening structure is opened, liquid will flow from said chamber into the container and stop at a certain level in said container.

4. In a filling apparatus of the character described, the combination of a structure having a confined chamber for holding a supply of liquid, a discharge tube having discharge opening structure at its lower end; the upper end of said discharge tube being communicatively connected with and extending downwardly from said chamber whereby liquid from said chamber is free to flow through said discharge tube and out of said discharge opening structure; said discharge tube being adapted to be entered into a container which is to receive liquid from said chamber, means aifording relative movement of said discharge tube and container whereby said discharge tube is entered into such container to a predetermined depth therein and when desired, withdrawn, structure movably associated with said discharge tube, closing said discharge opening structure and movable with respect to said discharge tube to open and close said discharge opening structure, the structure which is movably associated with the discharge tube to open and close the discharge opening structure, extending below said discharge tube and constituting a valve means including an element adapted when moved upwardly with respect to the discharge tube, to open said valve means and thereby open the discharge opening structure of said discharge tube; said element being adapted to contact the bottom wall of the container before the discharge tube comes to rest during its entrance into the container, whereupon when the discharge tube is entered in the container and the discharge opening structure is opened, liquid will flow from said chamber into the container and stop at a certain level in said container.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,793,684 2/31 Dunn 141-293 2,681,759 6/54 Risser 141293 3,150,697 9/64 Risser 14l198 XR LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A FILLING APPARATUS OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, THE COMBINATION OF A STRUCTURE HAVING A CONFINED CHAMBER FOR HOLDING A SUPPLY OF LIQUID, A DISCHARGE TUBE HAVING DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE AT ITS LOWER END; THE UPPER END OF SAID DISCHARGE TUBE BEING COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTED WITH AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY LIQUID FROM SAID CHAMBER IS FREE TO FLOW THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE TUBE AND OUT OF SAID DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE; SAID DISCHARGE TUBE BEING ADAPTED TO BE ENTERED INTO A CONTAINER WHICH IS TO RECEIVE LIQUID FROM SAID CHAMBER, MEANS AFFORDING RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID DISCHARGE TUBE AND CONTAINER WHEREBY SAID DISCHARGE TUBE IS ENTERED INTO SUCH CONTAINER TO A PREDETERMINED DEPTH THEREIN AND WHEN DESIRED, WITHDRAWN, STRUCTURE MOVABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DISCHARGE TUBE, CLOSING SAID DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE AND MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID DISCHARGE TUBE TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE, AN OPEN-ENDED VENT TUBE STRUCTURE ENTERED INTO SAID CHAMBER AND JOINED AIR-TIGHT TO THE STRUCTURE HAVING THE CHAMBER SO NO AIR FROM AROUND SAID VENT TUBE STRUCTURE ENTERS SAID CHAMBER; THE UPPER END OF SAID VENT TUBE STRUCTURE BEING ABOVE THE LEVEL TO WHICH LIQUID IS HOUSED IN SAID CHAMBER; THE LOWER END OF SAID VENT TUBE STRUCTURE BEING ABOVE THE DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE WHEN THE DISCHARGE TUBE IS ENTERED INTO THE CONTAINER AND SAID DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE IS OPENED AND AN ELEMENT CARRIED ON THE DISCHARGE TUBE SERVING AS A SEAT TO CLOSE THE LOWER END OF SAID VENT TUBE STRUCTURE WHEN SAID DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE IS CLOSED, WHEREUPON WHEN THE DISCHARGE TUBE IS ENTERED IN THE CONTAINER AND THE DISCHARGE OPENING STRUCTURE IS OPENED, LIQUID WILL FLOW FROM SAID CHAMBER INTO THE CONTAINER AND STOP AT THE LEVEL OF THE LOWER END OF SAID VENT TUBE STRUCTURE. 